Students sue Harvard over ‘rampant’ antisemitism on campus

Six Harvard students have sued their school over alleged “rampant” antisemitism on campus that is interfering with their ability to learn.  

Alexander Kestenbaum, five other anonymous students and Students Against Antisemitism (SAA) filed the lawsuit Wednesday alleging Harvard is allowing antisemitism to be spread on campus without protecting Jewish students and choosing not to enforce its policies against the harassment.  

“Subjected to intense anti-Jewish vitriol, including from their own professors and Harvard administrators, Kestenbaum and other Jewish students, including SAA members, have been deprived of the ability and opportunity to fully participate in Harvard’s educational and other programs and have been placed at severe emotional and physical risk,” the complaint reads.  

The lawsuit says Harvard has refused to discipline those who have been antisemitic and has had a double standard in enforcing its policies.  

The complaint gave examples such as Jewish students getting harassed at the law school’s student lounge and protesters allowed to yell slogans inside buildings such as “glory to the martyrs.” 

“Considering that Harvard aggressively enforces policies to address bias against other minorities and regularly disciplines students and faculty members who harass other groups or espouse viewpoints Harvard deems inappropriate, its refusal to discipline students attacking, harassing, or intimidating Jews is glaring,” the complaint said.  

The lawsuit seeks an injunction against Harvard to stop them from violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which deals with discrimination. 

A Harvard spokesperson said the school does not comment on pending litigation. 

The court case comes as Harvard is already facing investigations from the Department of Education and House Republicans for alleged antisemitism.  

It was also filed not long after former Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned following controversy at a House hearing on antisemitism.  

Before Gay resigned, she did announce efforts Harvard was taking to combat antisemitism on campus such as investigating how it is occurring and creating a plan to fight it, training programs for the community and ensuring students know of the anonymous hotline they can call to report incidents of bias.   

“Harvard, America’s leading university, has become a bastion of rampant anti Jewish hatred and harassment,” the complaint said.  

The Hill has reached out the students’ lawyer for further comment.  

—Updated Friday at 10:09 a.m.